July, 2008

Dear parents, staff and community members,

With my first year as Director completed, I am looking forward to building upon the outstanding foundation and tradition that our special services department maintains.  This letter is to seek your involvement in assisting me in doing so.  An area that I have discovered is lacking in our district is an organized group of parents, staff and other stakeholders that are interested in being a part of discussions and decisions as it pertains to special education programming.  In my experiences, these organizations occur in two forums.  The first forum is an organized Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC).  This group, which is mandated in N.J.A.C. 6A:14 1.2 (h), consists of various individuals from the Somerset Hills staff and community.  The Council would typically meet about 4 times per year on a late afternoon.  As the Director, I would function as the chairperson of this group.  The group’s focus would be to provide input to the district on issues concerning students with disabilities. 

The second forum is an organized Parents and Professionals group.  This group usually has a name such as Parents and Professionals for Exceptional Children (PEC).  This group would typically meet once per month in the evening and focus on developing effective communication between parents and the special services personnel, provide   programs and information on current topics in special education, and provide support and advocacy for families with children who have special needs.  As the Director I would attend each of these meetings and either be an active participant in discussions and/or be available to answer any questions the group may have. 

Attached to this letter is a form that I ask you to fill out and return to my office if you have an interest in being a part of one or both of these organization.  I will contact all interested individuals in late August to discuss meeting dates and times.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call my office.  Thank you and I wish you a wonderful summer.

Very truly yours,

Vincent D’Elia, Ph.D.
Director of Special Services